Mary McDonald Turner, 96, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina departed this life for her eternal reward on Sunday, May 20, 2018.  Mary was born on May 1, 1922 in the Eastover Township of Cumberland County, North Carolina to George and Mary "Minnie" McDonald.

She married Francis M. Turner of Winston-Salem, and this union eventually produced one son.  The couple lived many happy years until the passing of Francis in 1979.

Mary had several careers over her long life including: "lunch lady" for countless students at Saint Benedict the Moor School, Summer cook for a Washington DC banker, nurse's aide at a local retirement home, and lastly a nurse's aide and matron at Amos Cottage, a hospital for special needs children.  Upon retiring from Amos Cottage she was able to indulge more freely in her other passions: travel and the church.  Mary was a world traveler who as a child never thought she would see other countries, but in adulthood never let anything slow her down.  She continued to drive until, at the age of 94, she decided other drivers no longer made it safe for her to be on the road.

Mary had strong views about what is right and what is wrong.  She also had no particular problem with letting you know which side of a situation you were on.  She was never mean spirited, but did like to team up with her husband's sister "to stir up confusion" to his occasional consternation.

She is preceded in death by her parents, George Henderson McDonald and Mary J. McDonald; her brothers, Paul, Samuel, Edward, Thurman, and Charles; as well as her sisters, Minnie Washington and Rosia Ryan.  She is survived by her son, Gregory Mathew Turner Sr. (Ann) of Winston-Salem, NC; one   granddaughter, Ashley Turner Rock (James) of Greensboro, NC; one grandson, Gregory Mathew Turner Jr. of Lumberton, NC; two great-grandsons, Jude Jeremiah Rock and Elijah Emanuel Rock both of Greensboro, NC; one sister-in-law, Rosalind McDonald of Kinston, NC; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Despite declining health and mobility problems in her last few months, Mary never complained. However she did constantly praise all the wonderful people who helped look after her and provide her assistance.  She was the mother of one but the mom of many.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church.

Funeral mass will be held at 11:00am Thursday, May 24, 2018 at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church with Father Basile Sede presiding. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. The family visitation will be held from 10:00am until 11:00am on Thursday at the Church.